Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz still learning lessons

Edmonton's Devan Dubnyk stops Nashville's Roman Josi during the second period of the Edmonton Oilers' NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., on Sunday, March 17, 2013. Codie McLachlan/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency

Barry Trotz is the longest-serving coach in the NHL, but even he is learning a thing or two this season.
Due to the shortened schedule, the Nashville Predators head coach has had to deviate from his normal routine and pick up things on the fly.
“It’s all seat of our pants this year,” said Trotz prior to Sunday’s contest against the Edmonton Oilers. “It’s a strange year, I think all the coaches are coaching by the seat of their pants every game. For us I always think that we’re a team that gets better after the first 20 games. We always have a lot of young guys and then we finish at a pretty decent level. This is the time of year where we usually are getting better, but the problem is you’re already in a playoff race.”
The condensed schedule had made things difficult for coaches this season. Added to the lack of practice time this season with games every other day, is the fact coaches must give their teams at least four full days off a month as per the new collective bargaining agreement.
“I’m a big believer in days off, but some of that makes no sense, based on the 48-game schedule,” Trotz said. “I think coaches are recognizing guys need days off and I’ve had to work with our guys seeing if one day would work better than another.
“But it’s important to have rest days. You see the big scores and it’s not because teams are that much better than the other team, there is some fatigue that takes place.”
With a 48-games schedule, coaches are trying to find the right combination to get the most out of their team night in and night out.
“We’re all a little frustrated, but the NHL is a league where you’re never really happy, even when you win,” Trotz said. “It’s harder this year fort every team and talking with the all the coaches and the frustration for all the coaches is that the schedule and everything going on does play a big role. In terms of travel and being tired. The last time we played the Oilers in our building, we caught them when they were tired. We got a pretty good start and it gets hard when you have to battle up hill.
“In Calgary for us the other night, it was the same thing. You give up two goals on the first two shots and then you have to climb up hill.”

PRACTICE DUMMY

Predators’ winger Zach Boychuk didn’t get into the lineup Sunday night, which unfortunately made him a target at the morning skate for Trotz.
The Predators head coach worked Boychuk over pretty well during a drill towards the end of the skate, laying a number of quality crosschecks to his back.
“He said he was going to put all his weight into me and he’s about 50 pounds heavier than (assistant) Lane (Lambert) so I definitely felt it,” Boychuk said. “I just getting some conditioning in and getting some extra work and skating hard and he was showing me how stay strong on my feet.”
Had it been anyone other than Trotz laying into his back, Boychuk might have reacted a little differently and hit back.
“It comes into your mind and you just have to work on staying strong on your skates and being able to take those cross-checks is pat of it,” Boychuk said. “Obviously there are guys that are a lot bigger in the NHL that are giving them to you, so you have to get used to them.”

KEEPING THINGS INTERESTING

The Predators came into Sunday’s game two points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference, but realize that can change in a hurry in either direction.
“It’s always tighter in the West I feel, but this year is crazy,” said Predators centre Mike Fisher. “If you go on a bit of run, you never know. It’s tough, everyone feels like they have a chance, which makes from some good hockey, which is good.”
The Predators have been able to hang around in the playoff race, but having come into the game losing six of their previous eight, are going in the wrong direction.
“We haven’t really played great since, which is unfortunate,” Fisher said. “It’s been kind of a weird season, we’ve had trouble scoring goals at times other times we’ll break out and we’ll get six.”

Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz still learning lessons

Barry Trotz is the longest-serving coach in the NHL, but even he is learning a thing or two this season.
Due to the shortened schedule, the Nashville Predators head coach has had to deviate from his normal routine and pick up things on the fly.
“It’s all seat of our pants this year,” said Trotz prior to Sunday’s contest against the Edmonton Oilers. “It’s a strange year, I think all the coaches are coaching by the seat of their pants every game. For us I always think that we’re a team that gets better after the first 20 games. We always have a lot of young guys and then we finish at a pretty decent level. This is the time of year where we usually are getting better, but the problem is you’re already in a playoff race.”
The condensed schedule had made things difficult for coaches this season. Added to the lack of practice time this